How bad of an idea is this? (I'm thinking it's a horrible one)

[DisgruntledVirus]

Today is 6/16.

The Akron Marathon is 9/25.

That is 14 weeks and 3 days away.

I haven't been able to build steady mileage through the spring like I planned due to IBS issues, which I seem to have fixed. I'm doing about 12 miles a week, in 3-5 mile runs.

Is it realistic to train to run the marathon in the ~14 weeks remaining?

How bad of an idea is it to attempt to train for a marathon in ~3.5 months from a low mile baseline?

 

[darkxshade]

I don't see how it's in any way horrible or a bad idea... you train for it and you give it a try. If you feel you're not up to it, do the half marathon instead?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

You should be OK if you start training for more mileage. I liked this program.

http://www.marathonrookie.com/marathon-training.html

You'll need to tweak the program a little bit but make sure to keep in the two week taper.

 

[kamper]

As long as you recognize and accept your limits if you happen to hit them before you're marathon ready, I can't see any problem. The worst would be that you do the marathon very slowly (perhaps walking some of it) or just do the half. As long as you avoid injury, you'll still be much better shape in the end.

 

[PricklyPete]

As long as you recognize and accept your limits if you happen to hit them before you're marathon ready, I can't see any problem. The worst would be that you do the marathon very slowly (perhaps walking some of it) or just do the half. As long as you avoid injury, you'll still be much better shape in the end.

Agreed. Push yourself to add mileage...but don't overtrain...listen to your body. If in the end you are only able to run 18 miles...so be it..run the 18 and walk the last 8. You will be that much closer to a full 26 in Late fall or early spring.

 

[eits]

Agreed. Push yourself to add mileage...but don't overtrain...listen to your body. If in the end you are only able to run 18 miles...so be it..run the 18 and walk the last 8. You will be that much closer to a full 26 in Late fall or early spring.

this

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Thanks everybody for the comments. This morning I was feeling like this was not a realistic goal. Provided my body allows it, I will be running the marathon.

Can't wait, and will be an enjoyable journy on the way 🙂.

 

[bommy261]

i say go for it. your not a professional, it'll be a great experience regardless if u run the whole thing or walk the last 10 miles.

 

[Megatomic]

Go for it, Pete's suggestion is good and it'll be fun. And maybe next year you can go for a long trail race.

 

[Capt Caveman]

14 weeks should be sufficient, just don't expect a PR. The only tough thing about such an early Sept marathon is that summer heat/humidity during your training will make things much tougher.

Good luck!

 

[StageLeft]

It's fine if you're not injured and stop if you do become injured. Since you're already starting injured I can say with complete confidence it's an absolutely horrible idea UNLESS your IBS truly is cured.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Go for it, Pete's suggestion is good and it'll be fun. And maybe next year you can go for a long trail race.

Ultimate goal is to do ultras, but that's not for another few years. Next year I'd like to do a 50k trail race that's in the area.

14 weeks should be sufficient, just don't expect a PR. The only tough thing about such an early Sept marathon is that summer heat/humidity during your training will make things much tougher.

Good luck!

I absolutely won't expect a PR. That said, being the first marathon it would be a PR until the next marathon 😛. The heat/humidity will be rough, and 2nd week in august (right about a month before, which means when I'm doing long runs right before the taper) I am going to be in Texas for a week. That will be the hardest part of training.

Thanks, and I will definitely be sure to post what happens! 🙂

It's fine if you're not injured and stop if you do become injured. Since you're already starting injured I can say with complete confidence it's an absolutely horrible idea UNLESS your IBS truly is cured.

Yeah, I'm keeping close watch on the IBS stuff. As soon as any pain happens with that, I'm done for a few days. So far, no pain. Using a foam roller daily (trying for once in AM and once in PM), stretches, and changing my warmup routine have all helped.